With more than 200,000 cases per year of breast cancer, it is clear we need to start prioritizing our breast health. While most cases of breast cancer are found in women ages 41 and beyond we are starting to see more and more cases that fall outside of the norm. Given that an estimated 1 in 8 women in the U.S. alone will develop breast cancer over the course of their lives it is a problem we can no longer sweep under the rug.

It All Adds Up

Now, don’t get me wrong, we have made huge strides in breast cancer identification and treatment. As a by-product, the overall death rate from breast cancer has dramatically dropped thanks to all of the hard work of researchers and medical professionals. However, the area we have made no traction in is preventative care. Yes, regular check-ups and monthly personal exams are great but is there more we can do to reduce our risk of developing breast cancer?

You Are What You Eat!

Did you know the foods we eat play a significant role in our overall and breast health? We all know that it is important to eat our fruits and vegetables. Yet, so many of us struggle to get the bare essentials of our nutrient requirements daily. Time is one of the largest contributing factors to why so many of us struggle to get in the basic building materials we need.

Everything Has A Cost

Too often we reach for something quick and easy that is commonly highly processed and the void of any nutrients. While these foods are fine to have in moderation they have become the new norm. Most children, nowadays, struggle to even identify the different fruits and vegetables available in our grocery stores let alone what they look like in the fields. The problem with relying on these shelf-stable foods is that they can create hormonal reactions within our bodies. More often than not, processed foods contain higher levels of estrogen-based chemicals. This is due to the fact that estrogen acts as a natural pesticide and increases the immune response within our bodies.

The Fight Within

Unfortunately, due to the fact that cancer is a by-product of our bodies attacking themselves, we actually increase the rate at which this occurs. There is a reason that more women than men struggle with auto-immune diseases, lately, the number of auto-immune diseases has dramatically increased. While there are a variety of factors that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer excess estrogen levels is the equivalent of throwing gas onto a fire. But our excess exposure to estrogen is not just found in the foods we eat, it is how water is treated to purify it for drinking and use in our homes, it is used in all of our cleaning products, and even our personal care products.

Estrogen Powerhouse 

Due to estrogen’s ability to help extend the shelf-life of products and keep pests out it is used in almost everything we come into contact with. Now, while we need estrogen in all of our bodies, both men and women, there is a limit to how much our bodies can process. How do we prevent estrogen overload from consuming our daily lives? First things first, we need to cut down our exposure to products containing estrogen-based chemicals. How do you do that? Keep it simple, look for products you can pronounce the names of ALL the ingredients! There are also some amazing apps you can use like Yuka which will tell you which products are safe to use.

Cut It Out

One of the easiest ways on paper to dramatically reduce your exposure to excess estrogen is by eliminating processed foods from your daily routine. Remember, the longer the shelf-life the short it will make your life. I am constantly putting together quick, easy, and seasonal recipes for you to enjoy so please feel free to check out my website AskDrDee.com for options. There are also some recipes on how to make homemade clean personal care products. The best part is by making it on your own you will also be saving money in the process. 

Detox Regularly 

Out of everything you can do to help reduce your estrogen exposure the hands-down best thing you can do for your overall health is a regular detox. While everyone is different, some individuals will need to do a couple of detoxes back to back before getting to a place where they can limit it to once every three months. We all benefit from doing at least a seasonal detox. When choosing a detox program you want one that focuses on nutrition and is at least three weeks long. Honestly, it should be longer. However, it should at least have one week dedicated to prepping your body, one week for the detox itself, and one week to transition you back to a normal routine. Stay away from juice detoxes and anything that says cleanse. Detoxes are meant to remove whatever your body no longer needs. It is not meant to be an everything must-go situation. 

No-Bake Almond Butter Pie

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 12

Crust:

• 1/4 cup Agave Syrup
• 2 cups Almond Flour
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla
• 1/4 cup Raw Coconut Oil melted

 Filling:

• 1 cup Almond Butter
• 2 Tbsps Chia Seeds (ground)
• 1/3 cup Agave Syrup
• 1 1/4 cup Coconut Milk Full-Fat
• 1/3 cup Coconut Cream
• 1/4 cup Raw Coconut Oil Melted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, oil, syrup, and vanilla. Use your hands to combine all the ingredients together. Pretreat a 9-inch pie dish with a non-stick preventative of choice and press dough into the pan. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes or you can freeze the crust for 1-2 hours for a frozen delight. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a blender, combine all the filling ingredients and mix on high until it forms into a thick sticky paste. 

If you choose to bake the crust let cool completely before spreading the filling into the pie evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes then top with dark chocolate drizzle and fresh almond butter drizzle. Serve chilled or frozen based on preference.

Beet & Kohlrabi Slaw

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 4

• 1 large kohlrabi peeled and shredded
• 2 medium raw beets peeled and shredded
• 1 apple cored and cut into matchsticks
• 2 Tbsp parsley minced
• Juice and zest of 1 orange
• 2 green onions chopped
• 1 lime juiced
• 2 carrots shredded
• 1/2 red cabbage shredded
• 2 Tbsp avocado oil
• 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds
• 1 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste
• Vegan feta cheese (optional)

Directions:

Into a large bowl combine all fruits and vegetables and give a light toss. To prepare the dressing, into a small bowl whisk together juice, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. Once whisked together pour over slaw and toss. Top with seeds and feta if desired.

Spicy Turkey Taco Salad

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Serves 4

• 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
• 1 pound ground lean turkey
• 3 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 6 cups dark leafy greens
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 cup vegan cheddar cheese
• 1 cup black beans
• 2 jalapenos thinly chopped
• 1 mango diced
• 2 avocadoes cubbed
• 3 cups fresh cut corn
• salt and pepper to taste
• corn tortilla chips

Dressing:

• 1 cup vegan greek yogurt
• 2 limes juiced
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp honey
• 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
• 1 jalapeno seeded, minced
• 2 Tbsp chives chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season to taste and brown the meat. Remove from heat and drain excess grease from the meat. While the meat cools in a large bowl combine all remaining ingredients for the salad. In a small bowl mix together the ingredients for the dressing. Add the meat and toss the salad in the dressing. For added crunch add toasted pumpkin seeds.

Ginger Peach Bourbon Thyme

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 1

• 1/2 lemon juiced
• 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• 1/2 cup fresh peach slices
• 4 sprigs of thyme fresh
• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 ginger beer

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into a glass and stir well. For added chill during the hotter days freeze the peaches. For a non-alcoholic option swap the ginger ale.

Get Started Today

Keeping your body free of toxins and free radicals is necessary to maintain a healthy life and a healthy mind. There are tons of foods you can add to your regular diet to help your body with its critical detoxifying processes. If you are looking for a safe and all-natural way to detox your body at home be sure to check out my Balancing Abundance Program. Because detoxing is so important and realistically everyone should be doing it on at least a seasonal basis I have taken the time to put together a program to help you do just that. Here’s the thing, I know working with me one-on-one can seem difficult to get into (due to limited space) and I wanted to be able to give everyone an additional solution that has no limits. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and successful at everything you do so here are some recipes to help set you up for success!

 Need A Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help, I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!